“[I] decided to force myself to cut this golden knot of ambition [to portray the nobility any longer] in order to recover my liberty. Realizing that a retirement of this sort must be made while one is rising and not falling; that one must leave Fortune while she is still favorable... I seized the occasion of a short, secret journey to throw myself at Her Highness's feet and beg, as the sole reward for so many efforts, exemption from such [diplomatic] assignments and permission to serve her in my own home. This favor I obtained with more difficulty than any other she ever granted me... Now by God's grace.... I am leading a quiet life with my wife and children and have no pretensions in the world than to live in peace.”

Someone Like You (1998)

The Master to the Librarian, in Ch. 2 : The Idea of North
His Dark Materials, The Golden Compass (1995)

Song Silence is Golden http://www.lyricsdownload.com/tremeloes-silence-is-golden-lyrics.html

Interview to "Ukrains'ka Pravda" https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2009/01/26/3692330/ (26 January 2009)

Variant: No. If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you." - Dimitri
Source: Vampire Academy

Original: (it) Conchiudo adunque, che, variando la fortuna, e gli uomini stando nei loro modi ostinati, sono felici mentre concordano insieme, e come discordano sono infelici. Io giudico ben questo, che sia meglio essere impetuoso, che rispettivo, perchè la Fortuna è donna; ed è necessario, volendola tener sotto, batterla, ed urtarla; e si vede che la si lascia più vincere da questi che da quelli che freddamente procedono.
Source: The Prince (1513), Ch. 25, as translated by RM Adams